A ban on selling energy drinks to children could be introduced under UK government proposals to halve childhood obesity by 2030.

Mandatory calorie labelling on menus, an end to unhealthy products at supermarket checkouts, and a 9pm watershed on junk food adverts are also among a raft of measures announced.

Campaigners praised the "bold" and "ambitious" commitments in the second chapter of the Government's childhood obesity strategy, but urged swift action to deliver the proposals.

Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "It is near-impossible to shield children from exposure to unhealthy foods.

"Parents are asking for help - we know that over three quarters of parents find offers for sugary sweets and snacks at checkouts annoying.

"It's our job to give power to parents to make healthier choices, and to make their life easier in doing so.

"The cost of obesity - both on individual lives and our NHS - is too great to ignore.

"Today we are taking steps to ensure that by 2030, children from all backgrounds have the help they need for a healthier, more active start in life."

The Government said it will launch consultations on a range of measures by the end of the year, in a bid to halve the number of obese children within 12 years.

They include proposals to reduce "pester power" by stopping supermarkets from displaying unhealthy foods at checkouts, aisle ends and store entrances, as well as stopping products high in fat, sugar and salt from being included in buy-one-get-one-free deals.

An end to sales of energy drinks to children, calorie labelling on menus in restaurants, cafes and takeaways, and the introduction of a 9pm watershed for advertising unhealthy products and similar measures online will also be put to consultation.

The Government said it will consider extending the soft drinks levy to milk-based products, if the industry does not sufficiently reduce the amount of sugar they contain.

Meanwhile every primary school will be encouraged to adopt an active mile initiative, such as the Daily Mile, which aims for every child to do at least 15 minutes' running per day.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England, said: "This is a strong, robust and bold chapter two which will help children live healthier lives and support parents across the country.

"This series of measures will undoubtedly help shift the balance towards a healthier environment."

Labour's shadow health and social care secretary Jonathan Ashworth called for "bold action not another watered-down, lame duck strategy".

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